I love reading to my two kiddos, and both my children love books. While my daughter has been reading on her own for over a year, she still likes listening to me read out loud. My son also loves snuggling next to me on the couch while I read aloud to him. Both kiddos also love interactive touch-and-feel books. When recently offered the chance to review Baby Bear’s Busy Day, Bubble’s Ocean Friends, and Shadow’s Nighttime Adventure written by Megan Roth and illustrated by Emiri Hayashi from Silver Dolphin Books in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add a new title to my home library.

Author/Illustrator

Originally from Pennsylvania, author Megan Roth has edited and written a variety of content from award-winning apps and interactive products to children’s board books and chapter books. She earned her degree in literature, film, and women’s studies from the University of Pittsburgh and currently resides on the West Coast enjoying the sunshine, the sand, and the mountains.

Originally from Japan, illustrator Emiri Hayashi graduated from Sophia University (Tokyo) in 1996 with a degree in French Literature. After working for a publishing house, she moved to France in 1999 and continued her studies in graphic design at LISAA of Paris at which time she realized her passion to become a children’s illustrator. Currently residing in Paris, she has since illustrated numerous children’s books and press.

Synopses

All three 12-page board books in the Bright Books series are recommended for little readers age 1 and older. I received Baby Bear’s Busy Day, Bubble’s Ocean Friends, and Shadow’s Nighttime Adventure published in 2016.

Baby Bear’s Busy Day

Baby Bear’s Busy Day follows a bear cub and his mother during their busy day in the forest through a sweet rhymed text. The visually stunning board book features bright neon elements, soft touch-and-feel bears, and shiny foil meant to capture the full attention and imagination of the littlest readers. Baby Bear’s Busy Day currently costs $12.92 on Amazon with a list price of $14.99.

Bubble’s Ocean Friends

Bubble’s Ocean Friends follows a little fish named Bubble on her counting adventure through the deep blue sea. With textured glittered glitter, colorful illustrations, and shiny foiled, little readers will love listening to the rhymed text while counting turtles, starfish, crabs, and other sea creatures. Bubble’s Ocean Friends currently costs $14.97 on Amazon with a list price of $14.99.

Shadow’s Nighttime Adventure

Shadow’s Nighttime Adventure follows an adventurous cat named Shadow on his nighttime walk as he says hello to the moon, strolls around rooftops, stargazes with friends, and so much more. The board book features colorful elements that illuminate the dark and a soft touch-and-feel cat that bring to life the rhymed text. Shadow’s Nighttime Adventure currently costs $11.92 on Amazon with a list price of $14.99.

Evaluation

My toddler son is absolutely thrilled with his new copies of Baby Bear’s Busy Day, Bubble’s Ocean Friends, and Shadow’s Nighttime Adventure. First, he loves animals, especially bears, fish, and cats. He also loves owls, so he was delighted to find an owl in the pages of both Baby Bear’s Busy Day and Shadow’s Nighttime Adventure. He also loves pointing out other familiar creatures throughout the books such as the bumblebees in Baby Bear’s Busy Day and turtles in Bubble’s Ocean Friends.

Both my kids have always enjoyed interactive touch-and-feel books, and the three new titles from Silver Dolphin Books are no exception. As I read the stories aloud to my son, he loves running his fingers over the soft bears and cat and bumpy fish. He also loves looking at the shiny foil elements in each title. His favorites are the clouds in Shadow’s Nighttime Adventure because he can use the shiny foil as a mirror to see himself.

Finally, the stories in Baby Bear’s Busy Day, Bubble’s Ocean Friends, and Shadow’s Nighttime Adventure are absolutely perfect for little readers. Rhyming is important for budding language skills in little readers, so I really enjoy the rhymed text. Plus rhymed stories are just a little bit more fun to read out loud. My son also loves the counting in Bubble’s Ocean Friends at the moment because he is quite interested in counting anything and everything. Overall, all three board books are a huge hit in my house!

Final Verdict

If your kiddos love interactive books as much as my kids, I highly recommend checking out Baby Bear’s Busy Day, Bubble’s Ocean Friends, and Shadow’s Nighttime Adventure written by Megan Roth and illustrated by Emiri Hayashi from Silver Dolphin Books. The three board books are full of colorful illustrations and textures to hold the attention of even the youngest readers. My toddler son loves all three touch-and-feel board books, and he and I recommend all three titles to all little readers!